One of our goals for this year is to build a better year-round experience for guests and the local Port Townsend community. To successfully achieve this goal, we want to listen to our local community to better understand how our current offerings have been received and what feedback they have for improving our offerings moving forward. To gather this information, we invited our neighbors to share their feedback via Listening Sessions and an online survey. 

The Listening Sessions were designed as a container for local community members to better understand Fort Worden Hospitality, what our goals are as an organization, and for our team to gather community feedback. The conversations from each session are vital for us as we work towards creating actionable steps for the suite of services we manage.  

To start each Listening Session, Matt Gurney, CEO, shared the goals for the listening sessions was to involve the community in the conversation around how to ensure Fort Worden Hospitality is a thriving year-round organization. He then touched on how FWH is a not-for-profit organization with board members and has a concession agreement with the PDA. FWH was created post-pandemic to manage the venues, vacation rental homes, catering, and food outlets on the Fort Worden campus and the organization is run separately from the PDA and State Parks.  

During the session, participants were asked a series of questions, including what brings them most frequently to the fort, what they enjoy most about the fort, what is the most disappointing thing about the fort, and finally a Big Sky idea. Work, walking, hiking, the beach, and entertainment are all common reasons people visit the fort. The most common answer to what people enjoyed most about the fort was the natural varied landscape that lends itself to many different activities, sitting in the Commons, and the historic architecture. Many participants voiced their disappointment in the inconsistent hours of the different outlets FWH operates, and the failure of the Glamping tents. When asked what would be convenient for FWH to have for neighbors many agreed on having more events and community activities held at Fort Worden such as live music, theater, or lectures. As well as having a small grocery store with healthy drinks, more grab-&-go options, more local discounts for lodging and events, and more kid-friendly activities. 

The survey was created to gain a better sense of the experiences both guests and locals have had while visiting Fort Worden, how often they visit, what they liked, disliked and feedback to improve. Just under one hundred people completed the survey thus far, providing a better understanding of how often people come to our different spaces such as the Reveille Cafe, the Fort Worden Commons, and the Guardhouse Pub. Feedback included suggestions for live entertainment, trivia/ game nights, and outdoor games available when the Guardhouse reopens. Responses indicated the need for more consistent and clear communication around housing rentals and Guardhouse and Reveille hours, along with a few comments regarding buildings needing upgrades like paint, and a desire for better internet around campus. We are taking this, and all the other feedback received and analyzing how we can create a sustainable business model. 

The Listening Sessions provided insight into community desires for Fort Worden, addressing historical concerns and paving the way for a more vibrant, accessible, and community-oriented space. These sessions were a productive first step towards creating a thriving place where locals can enjoy the beauty of Fort Worden and feel welcome year-round. Feedback provided will be used as FWH continues to evolve as a business along with guiding campus collaboration between all the organizations at the fort. The Listening Sessions paired with the Survey results will assist in the creation of company goals and an actionable plan moving forward. 

For those who would like to participate in filling out the survey please click this link. 

From all the team members at Fort Worden Hospitality, Thank you! 

One of our focuses as we grow Fort Worden Hospitality has been to support the community, both our partners operating on the Fort Worden campus and those in the greater community through sponsorships and events. As we continue to grow our inclusive community, we would like highlight Partners on the Fort Worden Campus. We have been working closely with the State Park to ensure that guests enjoy their time at Fort Worden and want to highlight what the Park has done to educate park visitors, as well as their efforts to keep Fort Worden’s legacy alive.  

State Parks’ goal is to connect Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives. Their mission to care for treasured lands, waters, and historic places is evident through the many projects that Fort Worden State part is working on.  From bunker renovations, collaborating on social media posts, to grounds maintenance the State Park has had a successful hand in keeping Fort Worden a State Park for years to come.   

We have been working with Interpretive Specialist Kelsey Lang to create educational and historical social media posts called, “The Fort Report”. We want to educate our guests and the local community about the history of Fort Worden and teach them about the flora and fauna around the park. The goal of this collaboration is for future generations to enjoy and value this lovely state park from an interpretive and educational lens. 

While we work with the State Park to educate people through social media, there are also weekly in-person interpretive programs focused on the history and nature of the Fort. The calendar of educational and interpretive events can be found online here. These programs and classes are held all around the Fort, and recently Battery Stoddard has been going through a reinvention to add to that space. Fort Worden State Park is turning it into an interpretive area for visitors to learn more about the varied uses of the Fort over time. Keep an eye out for progress on the restoration and future interpretive programs on the Fort’s website and through our social media channels. 

We are happy to share a common goal with the State Park and are excited to continue our collaborations with these partners to invite all to learn about, enjoy, and explore Fort Worden. For more information on Battery Stoddard renovation, camping reservations, and any other Fort Worden State Park updates click here to stay updated on special housing offers, the latest Fort Report, and other day-to-day happenings follow us on Facebook or Instagram.  

Greetings from Fort Worden Hospitality!

This is an exciting time at the Fort. As Spring transitions towards Summer, Fort Worden Hospitality is gaining momentum towards the goal of growth in many areas of our organization.

We have undergone a staff reorganization that is transitioning our leadership team to refocus our efforts on four key areas; Operations, People, Culture, and Community. All departments (teams) are diligently working towards growth in these four areas to support the goals we have as an organization to be a more supportive part of Port Townsend. These teams and their unique focus have allowed us to spend the last several months working on plans to more sustainably serve our guests and open more of our food service outlets.

Coming soon you’ll be able to pop in for drinks at the Guardhouse, head down to the Cablehouse Canteen for a snack, or some forgotten beach/camping items. In addition, we have some great partnerships brewing with a variety of local vendors, including Olympic Kayak for rentals down at the beach.

As Fort Worden Hospitality grows, we are beta testing a few exciting things this summer, including taking a proactive approach by supporting our seasonal staff through on campus housing solutions.

All this combines to bring you our widest set of offerings we’ve had since 2019. I am excited for our staff and the support they’ll have, as well as seeing you around the park enjoying a coffee or beer, a conference or music festival, a walk in the park or a swim at the beach!

Here’s to a great summer!

-Matt Gurney / CEO